Translation
He seized the DRAGON,
that ANCIENT SERPENT,
who is the DEVIL,
or SATAN,
Go to footnote numberand bound him
for one thousand years.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
He seized the GREAT DECEIVER, the ORIGINAL DECEIVER,
who is THE FALSE ACCUSER,
or GOD’S ADVERSARY,
and he curtailed his ability to act in a way that shows he (Satan) lacks the power to make his rule into a lasting dynasty.
Footnotes
1
The fact that four of Satan’s names are mentioned, and four means “all,” was not just a matter of clarity, but a type of emphasis showing that Satan will be totally bound, totally refrained from all activity.
2
Since 1,000 is a multiple of 10 it represents the power to make one’s rule into a lasting dynasty. Most earthly dynasties last only about 200 years, so a dynasty of 1,000 years would demonstrate true and lasting authority. The fact that Satan is bound for 1000 years shows that he does not have that kind of power while someone else does (and we know who that is).